Should Vaping Devices Be Banned? There Should Be an Authoritative Answer: Legal Daily
Including vaping devices in tobacco-control regulations requires a key premise: there must first be scientific evidence showing whether vaping devices are tobacco products, whether they are harmful, and how harmful they are. Regarded as alternatives to co
Including e-cigarettes within the scope of tobacco control has one prerequisite: there must first be a scientific assessment of whether e-cigarettes are cigarettes, whether they are harmful, and how harmful they are.
E-cigarettes, which are seen as substitutes for conventional cigarettes and come in a wide variety of flavors, have become increasingly popular in recent years. Recently, a passenger on the Beijing subway got into a conflict with others while using an e-cigarette, sparking debate over whether e-cigarettes should be banned in public places. On August 8, the Beijing Tobacco Control Association stated that popular e-cigarettes also release harmful secondhand emissions and should be prohibited in public places, and it plans to push for e-cigarettes to be included within the scope of tobacco control (Xin京报, August 9).
In July this year, an unsafe incident occurred on an Air China flight when a co-pilot’s use of an e-cigarette led to improper operation, pushing the e-cigarette issue into the spotlight of public opinion. More recently, a passenger on Beijing Subway Line 10 got into an argument with someone who tried to stop him from using an e-cigarette, once again triggering discussion about whether e-cigarettes should be allowed in public places.
To be honest, if people had not read the full discussion or seen the Beijing Tobacco Control Association’s latest statement, these two incidents could very well have become excellent opportunities to promote e-cigarettes. Smoking bans in public places have gradually gained broad acceptance, and even some smokers now comply voluntarily under strong public pressure. However, due to intentional or unintentional marketing by sellers, many people have come to believe that e-cigarettes are not cigarettes. As tobacco control requirements become increasingly strict and e-cigarettes are marketed as safe and fashionable, their popularity may simply be a matter of timing. These two incidents, in fact, made more people aware of e-cigarettes.
But when people dig a little deeper, they hear another message: e-cigarettes are also cigarettes and carry the same kinds of health risks. According to Xiao Dan, Executive Director of the WHO Collaborating Center for Tobacco Cessation and Respiratory Disease Prevention, the World Health Organization has long made it clear that e-cigarettes are harmful to public health. Current research data indicate that e-cigarettes are cytotoxic. In addition, most e-cigarettes contain highly irritating gases such as propylene glycol/glycerol, as well as heavy metals such as nickel, cadmium, and copper. If that is indeed the case, then including e-cigarettes within the scope of tobacco control would be a logical step. It is said that quite a few countries and regions have already imposed controls on e-cigarettes in public places.
In reality, many people still believe that e-cigarettes are not cigarettes. If this misunderstanding is not corrected, then bringing e-cigarettes into the scope of tobacco control will inevitably encounter many visible and invisible obstacles. Because of this mistaken belief, users may even feel innocent, or think that choosing e-cigarettes already demonstrates social responsibility and public morality, while those who stop them are simply making trouble for no reason. This would greatly increase the likelihood of arguments and conflicts. And it is not only e-cigarette users—many passive bystanders may also see nothing wrong with it, and may even describe using e-cigarettes as “fun.”
Over the years, tobacco advertising has become increasingly rare, but promotion of e-cigarettes has shown signs of excess. If you search for “e-cigarettes” on Taobao, there are around 100 pages of related products, and reviews for one domestic e-cigarette product have reached nearly 200,000. Many product images prominently display slogans such as “helps with smoking cessation” and “really can help you quit smoking,” and many e-cigarette consumers are drawn precisely by these claims. In fact, society as a whole has a one-sided understanding of e-cigarettes, and regulation has also been somewhat neglectful.
At present, although the tobacco control association has put forward the view that “e-cigarettes are also cigarettes,” many people still doubt it. That is because sellers have promoted them recklessly, to the point that people do not even know whom to believe. In the public’s view, products that affect physical and mental health should undergo the necessary risk assessments before being introduced to market. Regulation should step in early, rather than acting wise only after the fact. Even if technological limitations once made understanding incomplete, once suspicion arises and risks are identified, authorities should respond quickly, organize scientific assessment, and produce targeted measures, rather than standing by as spectators.
Including e-cigarettes within the scope of tobacco control has one prerequisite: there must be a scientific assessment of whether e-cigarettes are cigarettes, whether they are harmful, and how harmful they are. If it is proven that e-cigarettes are also cigarettes, then bringing them under tobacco control would follow naturally and would not encounter major resistance. Therefore, there should be an authoritative answer to the question, “Are e-cigarettes cigarettes?”
In fact, because tobacco control experts have produced a great deal of evidence, and because some countries and regions have already implemented restrictions on e-cigarettes in public places, many people are already inclined, deep down, to believe that e-cigarettes are indeed cigarettes. #p#Page Title#e#
E-cigarettes, which are seen as substitutes for conventional cigarettes and come in a wide variety of flavors, have become increasingly popular in recent years. Recently, a passenger on the Beijing subway got into a conflict with others while using an e-cigarette, sparking debate over whether e-cigarettes should be banned in public places. On August 8, the Beijing Tobacco Control Association stated that popular e-cigarettes also release harmful secondhand emissions and should be prohibited in public places, and it plans to push for e-cigarettes to be included within the scope of tobacco control (Xin京报, August 9).
In July this year, an unsafe incident occurred on an Air China flight when a co-pilot’s use of an e-cigarette led to improper operation, pushing the e-cigarette issue into the spotlight of public opinion. More recently, a passenger on Beijing Subway Line 10 got into an argument with someone who tried to stop him from using an e-cigarette, once again triggering discussion about whether e-cigarettes should be allowed in public places.To be honest, if people had not read the full discussion or seen the Beijing Tobacco Control Association’s latest statement, these two incidents could very well have become excellent opportunities to promote e-cigarettes. Smoking bans in public places have gradually gained broad acceptance, and even some smokers now comply voluntarily under strong public pressure. However, due to intentional or unintentional marketing by sellers, many people have come to believe that e-cigarettes are not cigarettes. As tobacco control requirements become increasingly strict and e-cigarettes are marketed as safe and fashionable, their popularity may simply be a matter of timing. These two incidents, in fact, made more people aware of e-cigarettes.
But when people dig a little deeper, they hear another message: e-cigarettes are also cigarettes and carry the same kinds of health risks. According to Xiao Dan, Executive Director of the WHO Collaborating Center for Tobacco Cessation and Respiratory Disease Prevention, the World Health Organization has long made it clear that e-cigarettes are harmful to public health. Current research data indicate that e-cigarettes are cytotoxic. In addition, most e-cigarettes contain highly irritating gases such as propylene glycol/glycerol, as well as heavy metals such as nickel, cadmium, and copper. If that is indeed the case, then including e-cigarettes within the scope of tobacco control would be a logical step. It is said that quite a few countries and regions have already imposed controls on e-cigarettes in public places.
In reality, many people still believe that e-cigarettes are not cigarettes. If this misunderstanding is not corrected, then bringing e-cigarettes into the scope of tobacco control will inevitably encounter many visible and invisible obstacles. Because of this mistaken belief, users may even feel innocent, or think that choosing e-cigarettes already demonstrates social responsibility and public morality, while those who stop them are simply making trouble for no reason. This would greatly increase the likelihood of arguments and conflicts. And it is not only e-cigarette users—many passive bystanders may also see nothing wrong with it, and may even describe using e-cigarettes as “fun.”Over the years, tobacco advertising has become increasingly rare, but promotion of e-cigarettes has shown signs of excess. If you search for “e-cigarettes” on Taobao, there are around 100 pages of related products, and reviews for one domestic e-cigarette product have reached nearly 200,000. Many product images prominently display slogans such as “helps with smoking cessation” and “really can help you quit smoking,” and many e-cigarette consumers are drawn precisely by these claims. In fact, society as a whole has a one-sided understanding of e-cigarettes, and regulation has also been somewhat neglectful.
At present, although the tobacco control association has put forward the view that “e-cigarettes are also cigarettes,” many people still doubt it. That is because sellers have promoted them recklessly, to the point that people do not even know whom to believe. In the public’s view, products that affect physical and mental health should undergo the necessary risk assessments before being introduced to market. Regulation should step in early, rather than acting wise only after the fact. Even if technological limitations once made understanding incomplete, once suspicion arises and risks are identified, authorities should respond quickly, organize scientific assessment, and produce targeted measures, rather than standing by as spectators.
Including e-cigarettes within the scope of tobacco control has one prerequisite: there must be a scientific assessment of whether e-cigarettes are cigarettes, whether they are harmful, and how harmful they are. If it is proven that e-cigarettes are also cigarettes, then bringing them under tobacco control would follow naturally and would not encounter major resistance. Therefore, there should be an authoritative answer to the question, “Are e-cigarettes cigarettes?”
In fact, because tobacco control experts have produced a great deal of evidence, and because some countries and regions have already implemented restrictions on e-cigarettes in public places, many people are already inclined, deep down, to believe that e-cigarettes are indeed cigarettes. #p#Page Title#e#
